Page 26 of The Do-Over

‘Why? I thought Alice said she was going to make everything all right.’

‘It’s not her fault. Well, not really. I wasn’t surprised to find that John didn’t leave anything in his will for me, but I was pissed off that he didn’t leave anything to Rollo either. I mean, he’s just as much John’s son as the other two. Alice is doing what she can, but her priorities are obviously going to be herself andher boys. I’m sure it won’t surprise you to know that my house is in John’s name. So, legally, Alice could turf me out anytime. However, what she’s said is she’ll sign the house over to me as soon as probate is granted, but I’ll have to take on the mortgage from that point as well.’

‘That seems generous and fair. What’s the issue?’

‘How am I going to get a mortgage? There’s plenty of equity in the house, but I’d still need to borrow something in the region of half a million pounds. Even if I had a job, it wouldn’t earn anywhere near enough to get that. Sorry, what’s that smell?’

‘Oh, shit. Come in for a minute.’

I hastily turn off the heat but it’s too late. My beautiful vegetables are charred, smoking crisps and there’s thick acrid smoke billowing out of the pan.

‘Is there oil in there?’ Rebecca asks.

‘Yes. I was softening the vegetables.’

‘It looks like it’s about to ignite. Quickly, grab a tea towel and rinse it under the tap, then cover the pan with it.’

I follow her instructions and I’m alarmed by the hiss as the wet material makes contact with the metal.

‘God, I’msosorry,’ Rebecca says. ‘I didn’t realise you were cooking or I would never have distracted you.’

‘It’s my fault,’ I tell her. ‘If I’m honest, I completely forgot that it was there. I’m not sure cooking is my forte.’

‘What were you making?’

‘Shepherd’s pie, at least that was the plan. I’m not sure what to do now, as I only bought one onion and a couple of carrots like the recipe said.’

‘Can I see?’

I show her the book. ‘My mum’s an excellent cook,’ I tell her. ‘So I thought I’d have a go at making something from scratch myself.’

Her eyes widen. ‘You mean you’ve never cooked before?’

‘Well, I have, but it was a long time ago.’

‘How long?’

I blush. ‘University.’

‘Bloody hell! Sorry, that’s rude. Can I ask what you’ve been living on?’

‘Well, when I was at work, I could just order stuff in. When I was travelling I’d eat in whichever hotel I was staying at, and when I was here I’d either get something delivered or have a ready meal.’

‘OK, look. The least I can do is replace your ruined ingredients.’ She carefully lifts the tea towel and inspects the blackened vegetables. ‘I think this is probably safe now. You might need a new pan though. I really am sorry.’

‘Like I said, it’s my fault,’ I tell her as inspiration strikes. ‘Actually, how do you feel about being my guinea pig? Rollo too.’

She laughs. ‘You do like to make life hard for yourself, don’t you? Your first time in the kitchen in however many years and you decide to throw a dinner party?’

‘It’s hardly a dinner party. The recipe says it serves four. I was just going to portion the rest up and freeze it, but if you don’t have anything else on, I’d love to cook for you both. If it’s a disaster, we’ll order in. What do you say? I owe you, so it’s the least I can do.’

‘How did you figure that out?’

‘You’ve had me over twice. It must be time I returned the favour.’

She smiles. ‘OK, you’re on.’

14

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